December Walnut Creek Mayor's Message

Dec 02, 2015 10:45PM
● Published by Bob Simmons

My
year as mayor has ended, so I am using my last article to provide some observations
on the year.

The
year started with the dedication of Centennial Grove in Heather Farm Park. This is a grove of 100 trees from six
continents (there are no trees on Antarctica).
It ended with a celebration of the completion of the Geary Road
project. The results of this road are
that vehicles flow more smoothly, it is safer for pedestrians and bicyclists,
and new drainage features improve water quality and water flow during storm
events. All of the new lighting is LED lighting.

What
are some other things the city did this year? In terms of traffic, the Buena
Vista project was completed, with significant enhancements for pedestrians and
bicyclists and improved safety of the San Carlos/Ygnacio Valley Road
intersection.

The
city acquired five acres of open space from the East Bay Municipal Utility
District, with financial assistance from the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation.
In addition, the old cell tower on the top of Lime Ridge was removed, and now,
for the first time, people can hike up to the top of Lime Ridge, the highest
spot in the city.

Several
years of work by staff resulted in the approval of solar carport projects at
Heather Farm Park and Boundary Oak Golf Course.
Over the 20-year life of the project, the estimated net savings to the
city is nearly $4 million, with no upfront cost. The electricity generated by
the project could fully power about 140 homes.
In addition, the carports will provide significant shade for vehicles
parked underneath. It is estimated the
carports will reduce peak summer temperatures by 20 degrees.

The
city commenced the reconstruction of Larkey Pool, which will serve us well over
the next 30 years. It also decided to proceed with the initial scope and design
for the aquatics facility at Heather Farm Park.
The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak was renovated, with more upgrades due in
2016.

The
city approved a 90-day Winter Night Shelter program at the armory near Civic
Park. Through a lengthy public process that included nearby residents, the
Trinity Center, and the city, many of the neighborhood concerns were addressed,
with the result that there was broad community support for the project. The city
took several actions to provide more affordable housing. This included the
approval of a new affordable housing on Riviera near the Walnut Creek BART
station.

The
city reduced its water usage in response to the drought. Of the 80 acres of
turf, the city stopped watering on 17 of those acres, and is converting at
least five of those acres to drought-tolerant vegetation.

Finally,
the city acted on several matters that we will see in 2016, including the West
Downtown Specific Plan, the Pedestrian Master Plan, Community Choice Energy,
and Urban Agriculture.

2015
was a good year, and I anticipate that 2016 will be as interesting and productive.